2016 - A year of 16 Challenges

craftingmad

Hi all,

Well my daughter is now officially a teenager and we overspent so much on the party that I really need these challenges now more than ever. So here's today's progress

1. Stash Busting - 150/365 days of no spending
Items made 375/2016
No craft spending since last update and two cards made for daughters birthday

2. Decluttering 801/2016
Decluttering sales Me 195 - £456 Dan - 8 - £14 Tash - 1 - £8
No new progress here as been so busy with party

3. Make £2016 - £932.04/£2016 £8 mystery shop carried out on 2nd June but won't count until I'm paid in July


4. Starting weight 12st 4lb - Weight Now - 12st 0lb
Definitely no progress here after Pizza Hut yesterday

5. Sealed pot challenge - money started to be added
£4.18 Loose change added to pot

6. NSD - 75/120
NSD today

7. Amazon Pot - £129.76/£200 (£29.76 left over from last year)
Both Swagbucks & Gifthulk targets met today

8. 16 outlets - 4/16 No new progress


9. Store Cupboard Challenge 41/52Use up dinner today of cold pizza, quiche, salad, frozen potato items & pork & egg pie


10. New meals 4/12 - tuna fishcakes, savoury bread and butter pudding & savoury pancakes
No new progress

11. Flylady Challenge 131/352
Lots of washing and hovering done over the last few days

12. Handmade Christmas 1/50 No new progress


13. Save/pay off 16k - £6620.15/£16k £9.74 paid into savings today from current account reward and interest from savings


14. Project Life 3/13 No new progress


15. Quality Time 30/52 Yes park with son playing football and basketball


16. Phoning Parents - 20/52 No time today

rdone

1. Declutter 2016 items
Still couldn't even guess at the amount though!
245/2016

2. Read 16 Books
Had a very busy weekend so no time to read
5/16

3. Make 3 homemade meals a week
Don't think we succeeded with this in the end. New week now though
0/3

4. 16 no spend days a month
Really should change this challenge as I shop differently now
2/16

5. Exercise 4 times a week (I have signed up to a triathlon in June so this is a must!) The triathlon is for my Duke of Edinburgh diamond challenge and a month before the wedding. Have been having back trouble but need to slowly get back into it!
Had the weekend off (unless you count Salsa dancing on Saturday) but managed the 4. New week now
0/4

6. I currently do the VSPC in which I do a daily, weekly and monthly challenge. Daily is on the 1st Jan put £3.66, 2nd £3.65 etc until the 31st Dec is 1p. Have done it opposite to most people as I felt I'd be more enthusiastic in the beginning and also get more interest! Weekly is rounding my bank account to the nearest £10 at the end of every Sunday and monthly is rounding my salary to the nearest £100.
Still haven't done this as HSBC are being weird

7. Clean/tidy for 16 minutes per day
Need to give it a once over this evening

8. Do at least 3 pages of my Travel scrapbook per month.

2/36

9. Bring a packed lunch at least 11 times this month.
Not good so far!
0/11

10. No buying any unnecessary toiletries and using the stash first


11. When doing craft use up stash in house first, only exception is wedding craft! I have a huge cupboard full of things but always seem to buy new when I want to make something. Allowing the wedding to be an exception as some things I've never had before.


12. Two meals a week to be shopped for in the kitchen cupboards
New week
0/2

13. Do 16 random acts of kindness that cost nothing

6/16

14. 16 days out with family/friends that doesn't include holidays

14/16

15. 16 days out with H2B that doesn't include holiday

11/16

16. Visit elderly relatives twice a month IN THEIR HOME. I often time a visit to my parents house when I know they'll be there.
New month
0/4 (I have two to visit)

craftingmad

You go rdone - well done

Well here's my progress for the yesterday & today:-

1. Stash Busting - 152/365 days of no spending No craft spending on either day
Items made 416/2016 10 cupcake toppers, 25 stickers and 6 cards made


2. Decluttering 910/2016
Decluttering sales Me 303 - £606 Dan - 8 - £14 Tash - 1 - £8
Massive progress made today. I sold a job lot of 108 essential oils and a display stand on Facebook for £150

3. Make £2016 - £1082.04/£2016 £150 from essential oil declutter sale


4. Starting weight 12st 4lb - Weight Now - 12st 0lb Was sick yesterday and today so not eaten much which might help


5. Sealed pot challenge - money started to be added No new money added


6. NSD - 76/120 Hadto buy small amount of food yesterday but was under my £20 budget (just) but a NSD today


7. Amazon Pot - £129.76/£200 (£29.76 left over from last year)
Both Swagbucks and GHiftHulk targets met yesterday and today

8. 16 outlets - 4/16 Sold more items from my latest rent a shelf so very close to being able to add another outlet


9. Store Cupboard Challenge 42/52 Having eggy bread today using all store cupboard items


10. New meals 4/12 - tuna fishcakes, savoury bread and butter pudding & savoury pancakes No


11. Flylady Challenge 133/352 Housework done in both days


12. Handmade Christmas 1/50 No new progress


13. Save/pay off 16k - £6620.15/£16k Money waiting to be paid into savings but won't declare until actually transferred


14. Project Life 3/13 No new progress:(


15. Quality Time 30/52 No kids just want to play on electronics


16. Phoning Parents - 21/52 Had a quick chat with my mum today

rdone

1. Declutter 2016 items
Still couldn't even guess at the amount!
245/2016

2. Read 16 Books
No more reading, am going to Portsmouth on the weekend to visit family and I always wake earlier than them so I'm hoping to sit in the sun and read in the morning sun
5/16

3. Make 3 homemade meals a week
Ended up going out with H2B parents last night
2/3

4. 16 no spend days a month
Really should change this challenge as I shop differently now
2/16

5. Exercise 4 times a week (I have signed up to a triathlon in June so this is a must!) The triathlon is for my Duke of Edinburgh diamond challenge and a month before the wedding. Have been having back trouble but need to slowly get back into it!
Swum and cycled yesterday. Did the whole of the cycle route for the triathlon so I'm excited now!
2/4

6. I currently do the VSPC in which I do a daily, weekly and monthly challenge. Daily is on the 1st Jan put £3.66, 2nd £3.65 etc until the 31st Dec is 1p. Have done it opposite to most people as I felt I'd be more enthusiastic in the beginning and also get more interest! Weekly is rounding my bank account to the nearest £10 at the end of every Sunday and monthly is rounding my salary to the nearest £100.
Still haven't done this as HSBC are being weird

7. Clean/tidy for 16 minutes per day
Been very good at this so far this week and it's brilliant

8. Do at least 3 pages of my Travel scrapbook per month.

2/36

9. Bring a packed lunch at least 11 times this month.
Not good so far!
0/11

10. No buying any unnecessary toiletries and using the stash first
Did place an ELF order yesterday but all for replacements

11. When doing craft use up stash in house first, only exception is wedding craft! I have a huge cupboard full of things but always seem to buy new when I want to make something. Allowing the wedding to be an exception as some things I've never had before.


12. Two meals a week to be shopped for in the kitchen cupboards

3/2

13. Do 16 random acts of kindness that cost nothing

6/16

14. 16 days out with family/friends that doesn't include holidays

14/16

15. 16 days out with H2B that doesn't include holiday

12/16

16. Visit elderly relatives twice a month IN THEIR HOME. I often time a visit to my parents house when I know they'll be there.
New month
0/4 (I have two to visit)

rdone

1. Declutter 2016 items
4 weeks until the wedding now and then there will be a lot of items that can leave the house!
245/2016

2. Read 16 Books
Finished book 6, time to move to HP 5, I'm definitely not going to finish them all before the cursed child comes out now and I'm scarred that if I don't read it immediately I'll find out what happens
6/16

3. Make 3 homemade meals a week
Lots and lots of cooking this week!
3/3

4. 16 no spend days a month
Really should change this challenge as I shop differently now
2/16

5. Exercise 4 times a week (I have signed up to a triathlon in June so this is a must!) The triathlon is for my Duke of Edinburgh diamond challenge and a month before the wedding. Have been having back trouble but need to slowly get back into it!
Slow week this week as the triathlon is tomorrow!! I'll be doing 3 lots tomorrow though so that'll make it 4 this week (hopefully)
1/4

6. I currently do the VSPC in which I do a daily, weekly and monthly challenge. Daily is on the 1st Jan put £3.66, 2nd £3.65 etc until the 31st Dec is 1p. Have done it opposite to most people as I felt I'd be more enthusiastic in the beginning and also get more interest! Weekly is rounding my bank account to the nearest £10 at the end of every Sunday and monthly is rounding my salary to the nearest £100.
Still haven't done this as HSBC are being weird

7. Clean/tidy for 16 minutes per day
Wedding stuff EVERYWHERE

8. Do at least 3 pages of my Travel scrapbook per month.

2/36

9. Bring a packed lunch at least 11 times this month.
Yes, all week!
4/11

10. No buying any unnecessary toiletries and using the stash first


11. When doing craft use up stash in house first, only exception is wedding craft! I have a huge cupboard full of things but always seem to buy new when I want to make something. Allowing the wedding to be an exception as some things I've never had before.


12. Two meals a week to be shopped for in the kitchen cupboards
Mr T came on Monday so it's been a good week
3/2

13. Do 16 random acts of kindness that cost nothing

6/16

14. 16 days out with family/friends that doesn't include holidays

14/16

15. 16 days out with H2B that doesn't include holiday

12/16

16. Visit elderly relatives twice a month IN THEIR HOME. I often time a visit to my parents house when I know they'll be there.
Have had a poor month in this respect, been way to busy in other parts of life
1/4 (I have two to visit)

rdone

1. Declutter 2016 items
So difficult to keep count but I would say I'm well on track!
245/2016

2. Read 16 Books
Going well through book 7
6/16

3. Make 3 homemade meals a week
New week
3/3

4. 16 no spend days a month
Really should change this challenge as I shop differently now
2/16

5. Exercise 4 times a week (I have signed up to a triathlon in June so this is a must!) The triathlon is for my Duke of Edinburgh diamond challenge and a month before the wedding. Have been having back trouble but need to slowly get back into it!
Successfully completed the tri and have done another one since. Really loving the excitement of doing them, would recommended everyone give them a go - great varied training and all over workout!
1/4

6. I currently do the VSPC in which I do a daily, weekly and monthly challenge. Daily is on the 1st Jan put £3.66, 2nd £3.65 etc until the 31st Dec is 1p. Have done it opposite to most people as I felt I'd be more enthusiastic in the beginning and also get more interest! Weekly is rounding my bank account to the nearest £10 at the end of every Sunday and monthly is rounding my salary to the nearest £100.
Still haven't done this as HSBC are being weird

7. Clean/tidy for 16 minutes per day
Wedding stuff EVERYWHERE

8. Do at least 3 pages of my Travel scrapbook per month.

2/36

9. Bring a packed lunch at least 11 times this month.
It's the 4th today and my first day here of the month and I haven't, I obly have 3 days this week and then off for a fortnight for the wedding! And going out for lunch on Wednesday with my team so probably not going to happen!
0/11

10. No buying any unnecessary toiletries and using the stash first


11. When doing craft use up stash in house first, only exception is wedding craft! I have a huge cupboard full of things but always seem to buy new when I want to make something. Allowing the wedding to be an exception as some things I've never had before.


12. Two meals a week to be shopped for in the kitchen cupboards
New week
0/2

13. Do 16 random acts of kindness that cost nothing

7/16

14. 16 days out with family/friends that doesn't include holidays

16/16

15. 16 days out with H2B that doesn't include holiday

13/16

16. Visit elderly relatives twice a month IN THEIR HOME. I often time a visit to my parents house when I know they'll be there.
Yep, showed them both my wedding dress!!!
2/4 (I have two to visit)

rdone

So it's been a while, getting married, going on honeymoon and glandular fever all got in the way! It's been an eventful 8 weeks.

1. Declutter 2016 items
We had lots of beautiful wedding presents which meant a lot of the old rubbish could go, went further in some cases.
245/2016

2. Read 16 Books
Currently enjoying book 12
11/16

3. Make 3 homemade meals a week
Fajitas last night
1/3

4. 16 no spend days a month
Really should change this challenge as I shop differently now
2/16

5. Exercise 4 times a week (I have signed up to a triathlon in June so this is a must!) The triathlon is for my Duke of Edinburgh diamond challenge and a month before the wedding. Have been having back trouble but need to slowly get back into it!
Glandular fever has halted this but it has also made me lose a heap of weight!
0/4

6. I currently do the VSPC in which I do a daily, weekly and monthly challenge. Daily is on the 1st Jan put £3.66, 2nd £3.65 etc until the 31st Dec is 1p. Have done it opposite to most people as I felt I'd be more enthusiastic in the beginning and also get more interest! Weekly is rounding my bank account to the nearest £10 at the end of every Sunday and monthly is rounding my salary to the nearest £100.
Still haven't done this as HSBC are being weird

7. Clean/tidy for 16 minutes per day
Got the house back now to pre-wedding crazy so it's much better! We're sorting a room at a time as well between now and Christmas as well as redecorating.

8. Do at least 3 pages of my Travel scrapbook per month.
Did loads when I was off and recovering. Managed to do 9 pages
11/36

9. Bring a packed lunch at least 11 times this month.
Been working reduced hours so haven't had to bring in any lunch with me
0/11

10. No buying any unnecessary toiletries and using the stash first


11. When doing craft use up stash in house first, only exception is wedding craft! I have a huge cupboard full of things but always seem to buy new when I want to make something. Allowing the wedding to be an exception as some things I've never had before.
Bought quite a bit when recovering as I was bored and was using lots

12. Two meals a week to be shopped for in the kitchen cupboards

1/2

13. Do 16 random acts of kindness that cost nothing

9/16

14. 16 days out with family/friends that doesn't include holidays
Does the wedding count?
19/16

15. 16 days out with H2B that doesn't include holiday

14/16

16. Visit elderly relatives twice a month IN THEIR HOME. I often time a visit to my parents house when I know they'll be there.
Haven't seen them this month because of the glandular, didn't want to pass it on!
0/4 (I have two to visit)

rdone

1. Declutter 2016 items
Cleaned out our top corner kitchen cupboard yesterday which was so bad I couldn't actually fit anything more into it. Now it's lovely and tidy and I decanted any packets into tubs so they stack lovely and can be seen now.
245/2016

2. Read 16 Books
I thought the last book was really good until it was getting closer to the end and it went all supernatural and not my cup of tea at all so I was really disappointed. Oh well, onto the next one!
12/16

3. Make 3 homemade meals a week
BBQ last night and more than enough for the rest of the week as well - lets hope the sun lasts or it'll be inside BBQs
1/3

4. 16 no spend days a month
Really should change this challenge as I shop differently now
2/16

5. Exercise 4 times a week (I have signed up to a triathlon in June so this is a must!) The triathlon is for my Duke of Edinburgh diamond challenge and a month before the wedding. Have been having back trouble but need to slowly get back into it!
Glandular fever has halted this but it has also made me lose a heap of weight!
0/4

6. I currently do the VSPC in which I do a daily, weekly and monthly challenge. Daily is on the 1st Jan put £3.66, 2nd £3.65 etc until the 31st Dec is 1p. Have done it opposite to most people as I felt I'd be more enthusiastic in the beginning and also get more interest! Weekly is rounding my bank account to the nearest £10 at the end of every Sunday and monthly is rounding my salary to the nearest £100.
Still haven't done this as HSBC are being weird

7. Clean/tidy for 16 minutes per day
Did quite a bit in the kitchen yesterday morning. Want to get the lounge and dining room sorted and ready to paint before the new sofa arrives.

8. Do at least 3 pages of my Travel scrapbook per month.
Did loads when I was off and recovering. Managed to do 9 pages
11/36

9. Bring a packed lunch at least 11 times this month.
Been working reduced hours so haven't had to bring in any lunch with me
0/11

10. No buying any unnecessary toiletries and using the stash first


11. When doing craft use up stash in house first, only exception is wedding craft! I have a huge cupboard full of things but always seem to buy new when I want to make something. Allowing the wedding to be an exception as some things I've never had before.
No more

12. Two meals a week to be shopped for in the kitchen cupboards
BBQ was all bought fresh yesterday:)
0/2

13. Do 16 random acts of kindness that cost nothing

9/16

14. 16 days out with family/friends that doesn't include holidays

21/16

15. 16 days out with H2B that doesn't include holiday

14/16

16. Visit elderly relatives twice a month IN THEIR HOME. I often time a visit to my parents house when I know they'll be there.
Haven't seen them this month because of the glandular, didn't want to pass it on!
0/4 (I have two to visit)

rdone

1. Declutter 2016 items
Sold 2 signs and 80 corks that I had from the wedding yesterday

2. Read 16 Books
Finished number 13 this morning, my husband recommends me moving to Catch 22 next
13/16

3. Make 3 homemade meals a week
We had an indoor BBQ last night as it was dark by the time my husband got home from squash. Was very yummy though.
2/3

4. 16 no spend days a month
Really should change this challenge as I shop differently now
2/16

5. Exercise 4 times a week (I have signed up to a triathlon in June so this is a must!) The triathlon is for my Duke of Edinburgh diamond challenge and a month before the wedding. Have been having back trouble but need to slowly get back into it!
Just signed up to a 10k in 17 days time... will need to start running again. Half Marathon is just over a month away as well.
0/4

6. I currently do the VSPC in which I do a daily, weekly and monthly challenge. Daily is on the 1st Jan put £3.66, 2nd £3.65 etc until the 31st Dec is 1p. Have done it opposite to most people as I felt I'd be more enthusiastic in the beginning and also get more interest! Weekly is rounding my bank account to the nearest £10 at the end of every Sunday and monthly is rounding my salary to the nearest £100.
Still haven't done this as HSBC are being weird

7. Clean/tidy for 16 minutes per day
More kitchen this morning, it seems to always need tidying!

8. Do at least 3 pages of my Travel scrapbook per month.
Did loads when I was off and recovering. Managed to do 9 pages
11/36

9. Bring a packed lunch at least 11 times this month.
Been working reduced hours so haven't had to bring in any lunch with me
0/11

10. No buying any unnecessary toiletries and using the stash first


11. When doing craft use up stash in house first, only exception is wedding craft! I have a huge cupboard full of things but always seem to buy new when I want to make something. Allowing the wedding to be an exception as some things I've never had before.


12. Two meals a week to be shopped for in the kitchen cupboards
Yep
1/2

13. Do 16 random acts of kindness that cost nothing

9/16

14. 16 days out with family/friends that doesn't include holidays

21/16

15. 16 days out with H2B that doesn't include holiday

14/16

16. Visit elderly relatives twice a month IN THEIR HOME. I often time a visit to my parents house when I know they'll be there.
Really need to do this. My husbands cousin has just had a new baby, maybe we could visit one on the way to the other
0/4 (I have two to visit)

craftingmad

Hi everyone who is left - I'm so sorry life just seems to keep getting in the way Well done rdone for posting. Big gold star for you
I have been keeping up with the challenges though I promise but not found the time to write things down

I will update the totals with the missing months as soon as I have worked them out but in the meantime thought I would post my efforts from yesterday (1st Sept) to get back on track:-

1. Stash Busting - 153/365 days of no spending Tempted to spend yesterday but resisted
Items made 416/2016 No new items made

2. Decluttering 911/2016
Decluttering sales Me 303 - £606 Dan - 8 - £14 Tash - 1 - £8
Old watch box thrown away which seems like it had been cluttering up my mantelpiece for a good few months

3. Make £2016 - £1082.04/£2016
No new earning s yesterday

4. Starting weight 12st 4lb - Weight Now - 12st 0lb
Just got back from an all inclusive two week holiday so hate to think! Did have a banana as a snack and 3 different vegetables with my dinner though


5. Sealed pot challenge - money started to be added No new money added
No new money added

6. NSD - 77/120
NSD yesterday

7. Amazon Pot - £129.76/£200 (£29.76 left over from last year)
No new progress

8. 16 outlets - 5/16
Got my very first Etsy sale yesterday

9. Store Cupboard Challenge 42/52
No new progress

10. New meals 4/12 - tuna fishcakes, savoury bread and butter pudding & savoury pancakes No

11. Flylady Challenge 134/352
Washing and hovering done yesterday


12. Handmade Christmas 1/50 No new progress
No new progress

13. Save/pay off 16k - £7047.51/£16k
£427.36 transferred into savings yesterday from bank account rewards, interest, money previously earned and not transferred and a PPI refund


14. Project Life 3/13
No new progress


15. Quality Time 30/52
Sadly not yesterday was a day of washing the mountain of dirty clothes from holiday and catching up on paperwork


16. Phoning Parents - 21/52
No time sadly